Keeneland Hotlist - October 21

Today’s Keeneland Hot List races to watch
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

Hot List Key:     

A : A preferred horse to watch                   B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final 3 minutes and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

2nd race – (4) Maotai is training forwardly for her debut for Cox and deserves top billing. (2) Gimme Candy is another firster with some sweet works who merits attention. (5) Querobin Dourada also seems ready for a good effort first time out. (3) Wicked Lady rounds out the firsters with some potential.. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-3-4-5.

4th race – (3) Lubna put in a nice rally to finish a close fourth last time and should get the job done here. (8) American Goddess flopped last time but can rebound here. (4) Love and Money should appreciate the turnback to a sprint. (1) Miss Domina may be a force from the rail. Betting strategy: 3 to win, place. Exacta box: 1-3-4-8. Doubles: 1-3-4-8 with 1-3-4-5. Pick 3: 1-3-4-8 with 1-3-4-5 with 2-4-7-8.

5th race – (4) Marion Francis was third in a pair of Parx stakes and rates a slight edge here. (5) Lovestruck has been racing in stakes on turf but has a nice pedigree for dirt. (1) Semble Juste will benefit from a ground-saving trip. (3) Shesa Mystery exits a Grade 3 stakes and will be formidable here. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta box: 4-5. Exactas: 4-5 over 1-3 and 1-3 over 4-5. Doubles: 1-3-4-5 with 2-4-7-8.

6th race – (8) Hawk of War (B) was bumped a few times then had to rally wide on a good day for inside paths. Can make amends here. (4) Royal Tryst may benefit from a dirt-to-turf switch. (2) Greener Pastures returns to turf and may be sitting on a big effort. (7) Fieldstone should be a threat in this spot. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-4-7-8.

8th race – (8) Spicy Marg has a sharp turn of speed and may not look back against this field. (2) Amusing Antics might welcome a switch to turf. (5) Hey Kitten won her last start and will be a threat here. (7) Touch of Class has enough class to be a main contender. Betting strategy: 8 to win, place. Exacta box: 2-5-7-8.